Team Bride by Valerie Comer

should have invited his parents down one weekend or taken Sarah to Calgary, so she could meet them on her own terms. He’d known she didn’t like crowds or a lot of attention.
    There wasn’t anything quiet about a Morrisseey-Shawnigan get together, and it seemed everyone peppered Sarah with questions. No one but him seemed to notice as she withdrew behind a curtain while right beside him at the dinner table.
    Even Amanda’s and Michelle’s tales of their children’s antics did nothing to restore the glint in Sarah’s eyes.
    Was the whole thing a mistake? Any woman who loved him was going to have to put up with his family. Yeah, they were rather boisterous, but he’d never seen that as a negative before he’d thought of bringing Sarah into their midst. Their older sisters had moved farther east, and the twins’ husbands seemed to take it all in stride, though they disappeared to watch a hockey game often enough at family gatherings.  
    Corbin’s wife would never have someone to disappear with like that. He was the only son, and the twins would always be a twosome.
    He slid his arm across the back of Sarah’s chair and leaned closer to her soft blond hair. “You okay?” he whispered.
    She flashed him a quick smile. “I’ll be fine.”
    Now why didn’t she sound convincing? “Want to make a quick getaway right after dinner? We don’t have to stay for the video or cake.”
    He felt her stiffen slightly. “I don’t want to ruin everyone’s evening.”
    “If you’re sure.”
    Sarah nodded slightly.
    She was right. The worst was likely over and, besides, he always got a chuckle out of the Double D wedding video.
    He cupped his hand on her shoulder. “You’ll see the first time I played on Team Groom. I was cute.”
    She sent him another small smile. “I can’t imagine anything else.”
    “I can borrow it from Aunt Deb and show you some other time if you’d rather.” The thought had merit. “We’ll pop up a big bag of popcorn and watch it out at my place. Or yours.”
    “Corbin.” She placed her hand on his leg. “Don’t worry. It’s all a bit overwhelming, but I’m an adult. It’s okay.”
    He stared at her tanned tapered fingers against the black of his dress pants. That one right there — he ran his thumb down the length of it — would look terrific with a diamond on it.
    The thought brought with it roiling emotions. Desire, protectiveness, and yes, a bit of fear.
    He covered her hand and squeezed as he leaned into her hair. “I love you,” he whispered.
    “Earth to Cory!” Laughter rang out around the table at Michelle’s jab.
    “Still true,” he murmured against Sarah’s hair before facing his sister. “Yes? Someone called from outer space?”
    “Nice one, Cory.” Amanda reached across the table for a high-five, but that would mean disconnecting from Sarah, and that wasn’t happening. He waggled his eyebrows at his sister instead.
    Amanda rolled her eyes and sank back to her seat.
    “Cory?” whispered Sarah.
    He shrugged. “Childhood nickname that reappears occasionally.”
    “Cute.”
    He couldn’t tell if she meant it or not. Unlike a Morrissey, she didn’t hang every thought out on the clothesline for the world to hear and see. That had advantages and disadvantages.
    Corbin rubbed that one special finger against his leg again. The Morrisseys and Shawnigans might be loud, but they were loyal, too. When they found love, they didn’t let go. He’d bet the Double D had their share of arguments. His own parents had certainly indulged in more than one shouting match behind closed doors. Yet here they were.
    Amanda had left Mark once and landed back on their parents’ doorstep. Mom had marched them down to the church for counseling, and they’d worked things out.
    Corbin was under no illusions. Marriage wouldn’t always be kisses and diamonds, sunshine and roses. But the rewards would be worth wading through the storms and thorns.
    Would Sarah agree?

Chapter 10

    A